From the Sector

Polartec, a Milliken & Company brand and the premium creator of innovative and more sustainable textile solutions, announced that its Power Shield™ Pro fabric, which incorporates Biolon™* plant-based nylon, has won the 2024 R&D 100 Award in the Mechanical/Materials category. This renowned competition, now in its 62nd year, recognizes revolutionary scientific and technicological innovations from 16 countries. Winners are selected by an expert judging panel of 56 industry professionals from across the world.

Building on the performance legacy of Polartec® NeoShell™ – a 2012 R&D 100 Award winner – Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro is a planet conscious weather protection shell fabric technology, made with Biolon™ nylon. The highly durable, extremely breathable non-PFAS monolithic membrane construction provides 20/20 breathable waterproof protection (20k mm water resistance (ISO 811) / 20k g/m2/24hrs breathability (JIS L1099, B1). As a result, it stops rain and snow getting in, while allowing body moisture to escape. Made to withstand wear and tear for resilience you can rely on, its 48% plant-based content also lowers carbon footprint by up to 50 percent and reduces reliance on fossil fuels without impacting human food sources.

Indeed, Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro is a first-of-its-kind weather protection made from renewable, non-GMO plant-based nylon and an innovative non-PFAS membrane. In addition to being soft, flexible and highly versatile, it offers exceptional durability while delivering a 50% lower carbon footprint than virgin Nylon 6,6, the gold standard against which other nylons are measured. In addition, its chemical free composition is created in a bluesign® certified facility, ensuring its more responsible and sustainable manufacturing. And by mimicking the strength and pliability of traditional nylon, Power Shield™ Pro ensures long-lasting protection in addition to setting a new benchmark for environmentally-friendly performance fabrics.

Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel (Freudenberg Apparel) introduces the innovative Film Bonding series. This new line of solutions is expertly designed for advanced sew-free bonding applications, enhancing the manufacturing process with modern efficiency and precision. In conjunction with this launch, Freudenberg Apparel is expanding its Net Bonding and Dot Bonding series, further broadening its range of seamless adhesive solutions to cater to the specific demands of the Stretch Active, Intimate, and Athleisure wear segments.

Freudenberg Apparel's Film Bonding series features a film structure with a high-quality adhesive, delivering robust shear bond and recovery. This enables garments to conform to the body's shape while retaining their shape and integrity after stretching, significantly improving durability and wearer comfort. By eliminating bulky seams, the Film Bonding series also provides a clean, smooth finish to fabric surfaces.

Available in tape form, Freudenberg Apparel's Film Bonding solutions accommodate a wide range of weight requirements from 90 to 220 g/m², including thin options under 80µm. The series offers an array of TPE and TPU variants with varying softness levels from medium to very soft, reducing reliance on traditional stitching and making them ideal for various applications, including stitch-free seam bonding on briefs, bras, vests, and leggings.

Complementing the Film Bonding series, Freudenberg has introduced an innovative oval net structure to its TPE polymer adhesive Net Bonding series. This new structure, in addition to the existing Diamond and Hexagon patterns, offers a diverse selection of net structures suitable for a wide array of applications. The expanded weight range of 50-240 g/m² for the Net Bonding solutions provides versatility for creating breathable, elastic, and well-controlled garments in leggings, sports bras, and intimate apparel.

Traditional heating systems in vehicles often rely on bulky and energy-intensive methods. Smart textiles, equipped with integrated heating elements powered by Loomia’s technology, offer an efficient alternative. These textiles can provide targeted warmth directly to occupants, reducing energy consumption compared to conventional heating systems. Whether integrated into seats, armrests, or steering wheels, smart heating textiles enhance comfort while optimizing energy use.

Smart surfaces in automotive interiors go beyond aesthetics, offering interactive functionalities that improve safety and convenience. Loomia’s smart surfaces can transform mundane surfaces into dynamic interfaces, capable of displaying information, adjusting settings, and responding to touch or gestures. For example, smart door panels can illuminate and provide feedback when touched, enhancing both usability and safety during nighttime operation.

Loomia’s expertise in smart textiles allows seamless integration into various aspects of vehicle design. From customizable lighting elements embedded within upholstery to responsive control panels, smart textiles enhance the overall aesthetics and functionality of automotive interiors. These innovations not only elevate the driving experience but also contribute to a more sustainable and technologically advanced automotive industry.

Looking ahead, the potential applications of smart textiles in automotive environments are vast. Future developments could include adaptive textiles that respond to environmental conditions, such as adjusting ventilation based on temperature and humidity levels. Moreover, advancements in sensor technology integrated into smart textiles may enable enhanced vehicle monitoring and diagnostics, further improving safety and efficiency on the road.

HeiQ and Thailand-based tech apparel brand GQ Apparel collaborate to bring innovative cooling to denim in Thailand.

GQ Apparel’s denim segment was just launched this August and underscores the company’s commitment to innovation, textile performance and solving consumer pain points. By integrating HeiQ’s biobased technology HeiQ Cool, the new GQ Cool Tech™ Jeans introduce a new era of denim that exceeds the expectations of consumers who value quality, functionality, and environmental responsibility.

Thailand's traditionally hot weather makes it impractical to wear jeans as they become too warm. The localized application of HeiQ Cool in the leg zone solves this problem by providing wearers with an immediate cool sensation when putting the jeans on, and continuous cooling throughout the day.

The cooling technology, paired with a detailed, pain-point solving design, underwent an intense research and development process with more than 500 prototypes tested. 95% of consumers who took part in a wear trial preferred the GQ Cool Tech™ Jeans to their usual ones.

Praised by local media for their design, the jeans have become a viral sensation in Thailand, with videos showing the cooling technology.